I am a game design lecturer, researcher & consulatant and have done work for companies such as twofour54, Ubisoft, Qantm, SAE & Griffith University. I am primarily concerned with rational approaches to design and the impact that nostalgia plays on game creation and consumption.

In this update the RLD Handbook, I propose a system for evaluating depth and complexity in game design. By examining two very similar games using this approach I explore the nuances of depth & complexity and attempt to resolve some common issues.

Some of the biggest game developers use a form of rational metrics to help mitigate risk. This article is the second in a series which examines one particular implementation of Rational Design / Rational Level Design.

Some of the biggest game developers use a form of rational metrics to help mitigate risk. This article is the first in a series which examines one particular implementation of Rational Design / Rational Level Design.

This article looks at how an understanding of the semiotics of movement can help construct emotional responses in games where the fidelity of avatar details are low due to the camera perspective of the game world.

The methodology could be applied to most games. The issue will be that your complexity will be huge when you start getting in to the realm of PvP - but not necessarily the depth. The reason I say this is that for each layer of complexity you add, your game ...

@TC Weidner r n r nI agree. Once you begin going down a path of deconstruction, the complexity of effective design practice becomes highly apparent. It is also worth noting that I deal predominantly with students working on games projects so deconstruction is a necessary part of the equation.

I would go one step further and look at sector times - i.e. split the track up into smaller sections which are separated by straights. I consider straight-sways to be the punctuation points in racing track sentence structure.

Wow, that game is very cool It adds a pretty cool spin on the mechanics of Danmaku. Looks like I will need to go back and revise some things. : r n r nI was working with another member of the Shmups.com community to do a web version of the ...